Bill on internal quota for SCs likely in Belagavi legislature session

Bengaluru: The government has decided to introduce a law to “effectively implement” internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) through the 6-6-5 formula as per the August 25 government order (GO).

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chaired a meeting in this regard on Wednesday, in which Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge and others participated, where issues concerning internal reservation and its implementation were concerned.

The chief minister is said to have directed that no caste should face injustice while finalising the roster.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Patil said, “A law is needed to effectively implement internal reservation and provide adequate justice and representation to everyone. A draft has already been prepared.”

According to the initial draft which DH has accessed, the legislation is named “The Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Ordinance, 2025”.

However, sources feel that an ordinance may not be needed, and instead the legislation will be introduced as a Bill in the upcoming winter session of the legislature in Belagavi.

The legislation mandates that internal reservation be implemented as per the 6-6-5 formula of the government. 

Group A comprises 16 castes (Madiga and 15 affiliated castes), group B has 19 castes (Holeya and 18 affiliated castes) and group C comprises 63 castes (Lambani, Bhovi, Korma, Korcha and 59 ‘most backward’ communities). Overall there are 101 SC castes in Karnataka.

The legislation also notes that the three SC castes not included in this formula (Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida and Adi Andhra) can take reservation either under Category A or B as per the circular issued on October 8. 

The legislation clarifies these classifications will only apply for state government jobs and not for central government jobs and departments.

Two more meetings

The government has scheduled a meeting on Thursday to discuss issues regarding reservation in promotions.

On Friday, CM Siddaramaiah has convened a meeting with the 59 nomadic, semi-nomadic and highly sensitive SC communities to discuss with them on their demand for a separate 1% reservation.

Earlier on Wednesday, a delegation of nomadic community leaders met Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa and placed their demands before him. A delegation is also said to have met Siddaramaiah and submitted a memorandum to him.

This is as per the assurance by senior Congress leaders that a meeting would be held after Deepawali.

The Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic SC Communities has been urging the government to grant them separate 1% reservation as suggested by the H N Nagamohan Das Commission. They have urged the government to create a separate board for them that doesn’t include communities like Korma and Korcha and provide a comprehensive package.